Here’s A Look At The Real Gypsy Rose Lee

Gypsy Rose Lee (known also as Louise) was a stripper and burlesque dancer who found fame in the 1940s. She initially started in the vaudeville circuit at a very young age with her sister, June, who was thought to be the star of the show. When June left the act at 15 to get married, Gypsy, having few other options, entered the world of burlesque. She eventually became renowned for her sexy yet clever act. Gypsy’s life has been made into a move twice, once in 1962, starring Natalie Wood. And again in 1993 with Bette Midler as Louise’s mother, and Cynthia Gibb as Louise.

2. Here in 1924, Gypsy Rose Lee is only 10-years-old. (What?! I Know.)

Image by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images

3. Here’s Gypsy (or Louise, as she was known before fame) with her sister June, in 1925. June would leave their act at 15 to elope.

Image by FPG/Getty Images

4. A photo session for Gypsy’s debut film, You Can’t Have Everything (1937). She’d go on to perform in 12 more films, but her acting…well, wasn’t the greatest.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

5. In 1941, GRL works on her novel, The G-String Murders, published by Simon & Schuster.

Image by Eliot Elisofon/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

6. Tips in 1941.

Image by John Phillips//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

7. A 1944 portrait.

Image by Bruno of Hollywood/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

8. 1949: Gypsy, at right, fits another dancer with a costume of her own design. She’s adding another layer of lace to avoid censorship.

Image by George Skadding//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

9. Here in 1949, Gypsy was the star of her own striptease show. She was known for her on-stage humor as well as beauty.

Image by George Skadding//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

10. Another 1949 image: GRL (at right) wears a 97-lb. costume. In her act, she shed it piece-by-piece.